Volunteer Water Monitoring

Milwaukee Riverkeeper is working to establish a watershed-wide network of trained citizen volunteers who monitor streams and rivers, collecting information in a consistent and useable format.

We launched our program in 2006 and currently have 58 volunteers monitoring sites throughout the watershed.  We train volunteers at two levels. Level 2 (advanced) volunteers monitor water quality using DNR equipment and protocols, and monitor pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, and temperature (using automated thermistors).

Level 1 volunteers measure DO, temperature, turbidity, flow, and macroinvertebrates (and do periodic stream assessments). Volunteers monitor on at least a monthly basis, and data is entered into either the DNR “SWIMS” or WAV databases.

SUMMARY

• 20 Level II volunteers monitoring 42 sites.
• 68 WAV volunteers (monitoring at different frequencies), monitoring 37 sites.
• 25 thermistors deployed in 2008 to measure stream temperature in hourly increments.
• Rough temperature data suggests several potential streams for coldwater trout introductions that are being monitored (Mole Creek,Riveredge Creek, Nichols Creek, Pigeon Creek).

Milwaukee Riverkeeper hopes to continue expanding citizen based water quality monitoring in the Milwaukee River Basin. We also hope to identify areas where we have water quality data gaps or needs, and to place citizen volunteers in the field to fill these needs. We hope to start monitoring for bacteria and other water quality parameters in targetted areas, and to continue to use our volunteers to help recognize questionable practices, erosion control violations, illicit discharges, etc.). Ultimately, we hope to build on DNR’s efforts to improve the quality and quantity of citizen-collected data that is used to monitor the health of our waterways.  

View Interactive Monitoring Sites Map _{(Google Earth required)}
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